I am a sucker for punishment. I have been complaining about this EdD paper for so long and now that it is done.. I kind of miss it. I've also been away from this blog and Ed-ucation Publishing for ages- and at the end of a year of research into social media in education I came away with some very interesting connections, and have shifted my thinking in regards to how we approach the future of learning.

It seems that schools no longer need to be the microcosm in which children learn how to navigate civilization, interact with others, build relationships and forge connections. Their learning landscape is now global. They should be able to create their own connections in safe, effective and ethical ways. It follows that we have the responsibility as educators to create documents, policies, and philosophies that underpin our practice with desire to leverage technology in the best way for our learners. To that effect, I recommend ditching the idea of creating a social media policy entirely. Clear, smart, simple, positive, open statements on a school’s philosophy for expected behaviors will light the way forward for educators embracing the teaching and learning in the ever changing potential of the social, mobile web. It seems in this endeavor we have little choice.

You can read how I helped to implement a social media philosophy at one international school in Thailand. The reflections on that process and how leadership, teachers and students are working towards creating a connected global community. Tosca Killoran

This is thought provoking for anyone involved in education. From reading this it's obvious that policies get outdated very quickly in this rapidly explaning world. Clear and positive standards and a strong philosophy to light the way for educators requires educators to open minded, principled, risk-takers.. many of the IB profile words. Thanks for sharing your work Tosca. Congratulations on finally completing it.

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